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Vehicle safety record

2016 Lincoln MKT Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2016 Lincoln MKT with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (3) and the driver assistance (2). Those complaints describe 2 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in December 2025 for the body. For comparison, the 2015 has 25 and the 2017 has 4.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical MKT year, for its age

#217 most complained-about 2016 vehicle

Complaints
9
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Most common 2016 Lincoln MKT problems

Share of all 9 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2016 Lincoln MKT recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Structure: body

25V82700011,852 vehicles affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The risk
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 2, 2025.

Suspension: rear

20V072000211,207 vehicles affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
The risk
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

Engine and engine cooling: turbo / supercharger

16V9250001,163 vehicles affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
The risk
An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

What owners say

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9 complaints about the 2016 Lincoln MKT

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Body, doors & structureDriver assistance

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V827000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side B-pillar trim had partially detached. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear-view camera was intermittently inoperable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Incident Structure · Back over preventionNHTSA 11752342
Electrical systemEngine & coolingDriver assistance

The engine light continues to come on and the only reading it gives off is that the engine is running lean. Nothing seems to be smoking or wrong with the vehicle. It continues to drive well. Then the backup cameras started to go on a blink. It comes off and on intermittently sometimes on while driving forward and less frequently on when in reverse.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Back over preventionNHTSA 11702945
Other & unknown

Panoramic sunroof shattered and it's broken in pieces now; No longer just shattered I am on the phone with a George Hilliker from the Newark CarMax now. To my dismay there is nothing that can be done since this is not a mechanical defect. So at this point I am going to definitely cancel the extended CarMax care that I did sign up for him to help offset my cost for my deductible to deal with this damage. I would regret not turning around and returning the car on May 4 just because I heard the sound and had no idea...

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what the consequences of that would turn into. I will also convey this in the survey request that I have received from Carmax. Taking this up any further would only cause me more frustration and money, But at this juncture I will definitely speak with a lawyer to see what my options are that way sinceI am now stuck with this vehicle. Granted had I known it had started breaking the glass on the third I would've returned it at any Carmax between Colorado and Delaware.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11417799
Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 lincoln mkt. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v072000 (suspension) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Neither the manufacturer nor a dealer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11350664
Steering

While making a turn onto highway my electric power steering completely went out with cars turning next to me. It yanked the wheel out of my hand almost causing a crash. Then a window appears in ly car saying your steering has failed pull over safely . Little late for that. After getting car to dealer and waiting I searched and found electric steering recall from 2015 some 400k cars. The same year mine was built. Dealer says no but its the same exact problem.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11231718
Body, doors & structure1 injury

I have owned this car for less than a year and the moonroof has shattered on me twice already. The front one to be exact, both times it was raining but normal rain, I live in northen california. No objects hit my car and no accident. It sounds like a loud gunshot near you and its very scary I almost caused an accident because I swerved to next lane due to being scared of the loud noise. First time I was on my way to reno and I had to keep going but it was hell and one of the worst experience of my life. Part of the...

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glass flew off within minutes of me driving so rain got into my car. I had to tape a tarp down with gorilla tape to get to a safe destination. There was glass inside the car and my little brother got cut on his arm, this glass is thick and heavy! The second time was 8 months after I had it repaired. Raining again but this time I was at a stop light when I heard the gunshot noise and I immediately knew what happened. I was scared but so very upset that it happened again just months apart. It's very upsetting that lincoln has not recognized this as a defect on this vehicle. I have read numerous blogs as on here the same complaint from people all over the us that this has happened to. It's so unsafe to drive and upsetting because I really love the vehicle other than that huge defect. On top of that this repair is costly, glass alone is $1400-1600 without labor in my area. I hope that lincoln will soon take responsibility and I plan to keep fighting this fight as I have a feeling this will continue to happen. I feel so unsafe driving this vehicle now. I really hope more people complain and speak up.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11180980
Visibility & wipers1 injury

Rear window spontaneously shattered. Daylight hours, approximately 70 degrees fahrenheit, dry weather conditions, parked in shaded area. Driver walked to vehicle, sat in driver seat, closed driver-side door, and started vehicle uneventfully. Less than one minute later the rear window spontaneously shattered. Driver cut left hand on broken glass when attempting to retrieve personal belongings in the rear compartment.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11104438
Other & unknown

While traveling on a highway, the moonroof on my vehicle exploded (sounded like a .38 Going off). I immediately pulled over to see what had happened (thinking maybe it was a blown tire) only to find that the moonroof had completely shattered (see attached pictures). I had two other people in my vehicle at the time. Ford knows that this is a flaw and won't recall these vehicles in which I believe should be mandatory as it is a highly dangerous safety issue.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11075972
Body, doors & structure

My moonroof shattered with no reason as I was pull from my driveway. Outside temperature 28 degrees not even cold for a chicago. I was driving no more than 15 miles and no hard brakes or bumps just suddenly cracked all over.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11072330

Lincoln MKT: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201918400Driver assistanceC
20187200Body, doors & structureA
20174300Body, doors & structureA
20169300Body, doors & structureB
201525620Driver assistanceD
201454420Body, doors & structureF
201370712SteeringF
201228100SteeringC
All MKT years

2016 Lincoln MKT vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2016 Lincoln MKT

Does the 2016 Lincoln MKT have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Lincoln MKT: body (December 2025); rear (February 2020); turbo / supercharger (December 2016). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKT?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (3), driver assistance (2), suspension (1).

How many complaints has the 2016 Lincoln MKT had?

9 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 12, 2018 and the latest on July 23, 2026. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2016 Lincoln MKT a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 66 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Lincoln MKT year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lincoln MKT years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2016 Lincoln MKT has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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